Underwear with refastenable side attachments

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of underwear, such as a thong or G-string, having refastenable side attachments are provided. The undergarment can be a unitary piece of fabric having a front panel having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, a rear panel having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, an elongated intermediate portion connecting a middle area of the front panel to a middle area of the rear panel, a first refastenable attachment mechanism connecting the first end portion of the front panel to the first end portion of the rear panel, and a second refastenable attachment mechanism connecting the second end portion of the front panel to the second end portion of the rear panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/733,835 filed Dec. 5, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments of underwear, and more particularly, to exemplary embodiments of underwear, such as a thong or G-string, having refastenable side attachments.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A problem encountered when wearing tight, form-fitting clothing, such as worn during exercise, is that the wearer's undergarments tend to show through, creating distracting lines in the clothing. Often, the person wears a thong or G-string to avoid having the distracting lines be visible. Because this type of underwear is very fitting and/or tight, it is difficult for a person to put it on and/or remove it without bending their back. It is also difficult to remove without having to take off other clothing first. This can be especially time consuming and difficult for people who are physically active, on the go, and/or pregnant women. This may also be a problem for the elderly who may have a problem bending, for people that are sore after a workout, or for people with a medical condition that makes it difficult for them to bend to remove their underwear.

Thus, there is a need for an undergarment such as a thong or G-string that allows a user to put on and remove the undergarment easily without having to bend over and/or exert significant effort, and without removing their outer clothing.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

At least some of the above described problems can be addressed by exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments of undergarments such as a thong that can have refastenable side attachments that can allow for easy wear and removal.

For example, using such exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide an underwear comprising a front panel having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, a rear panel having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, an elongated intermediate portion connecting a middle area of the front panel to a middle area of the rear panel, a first refastenable attachment mechanism connecting the first end portion of the front panel to the first end portion of the rear panel, and a second refastenable attachment mechanism connecting the second end portion of the front panel to the second end portion of the rear panel.

The first refastenable attachment mechanism can comprise one or more eye closures on the first end portion of the rear panel and one or more hooks on the first end portion of the front panel corresponding to the one or more eye closures on the first end portion of the rear panel. At least three eye closures can be provided on the first end portion of the rear panel and at least three hooks can be provided on the first end portion of the front panel corresponding to the at least three eye closures on the first end portion of the rear panel.

The second refastenable attachment mechanism can comprise one or more eye closures on the second end portion of the rear panel and one or more hooks on the second end portion of the front panel corresponding to the one or more eye closures on the second end portion of the rear panel. At least three eye closures can be provided on the second end portion of the rear panel and at least three hooks can be provided on the second end portion of the front panel corresponding to the at least three eye closures on the second end portion of the rear panel.

The first refastenable attachment mechanism and the second refastenable attachment can comprise magnets, wherein corresponding magnets that attract can be provided on the first end portion of the rear panel and the first end portion of the front panel, and corresponding magnets that attract can be provided on the second end portion of the rear panel and the second end portion of the front panel.

The first refastenable attachment mechanism and the second refastenable attachment can comprise one or more of buttons, stickers, hooks and Velcro, wherein connecting buttons, stickers, hooks and Velcro can be provided on the first end portion of the rear panel connecting to the first end portion of the front panel, and connecting buttons, stickers, hooks and Velcro can be provided on the second end portion of the rear panel connecting to the second end portion of the front panel.

The first refastenable attachment mechanism can comprise a first sliding attachment connecting the first end portion of the rear panel to the first end portion of the front panel, and the second refastenable attachment mechanism can comprise a second sliding attachment connecting the second end portion of the rear panel to the second end portion of the front panel.

The underwear can further comprise a first panel provided along an inner portion of the underwear to protect the skin of a user from the first refastenable attachment mechanism, and a second panel provided along an inner portion of the underwear to protect the skin of a user from the second refastenable attachment mechanism. The front panel, rear panel and elongated intermediate portion can be constructed of a material comprising one or more of cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, nylon, linen, spandex, silk, rayon, acrylic and paper.

In some exemplary embodiments, a thong underwear can be provided comprising a front panel having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion of the front panel, a rear panel having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion of the rear panel, an elongated intermediate portion connecting the middle portion of the front panel to the middle portion of the rear panel, a first refastenable attachment mechanism comprising three eye closures on an outer periphery of the first end portion of the rear panel that connect with three hooks on an outer periphery of the first end portion of the front panel, a second refastenable attachment mechanism comprising three eye closures on an outer periphery of the second end portion of the rear panel that connect with three hooks on an outer periphery of the second end portion of the front panel, a first panel provided on the outer periphery of the first end portion of the rear panel and configured to be provided between a user's skin and the three eye closures of the first end portion of the rear panel, and a second panel provided on the outer periphery of the second end portion of the rear panel and configured to be provided between a user's skin and the three eye closures of the second end portion of the rear panel. The front panel, rear panel and elongated intermediate portion can be constructed of a material comprising one or more of cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, nylon, linen, spandex, silk, rayon, acrylic and paper.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other exemplary objects of the present disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings and claims, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an undergarment having refastenable side attachments in an open position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of refastenable side attachments according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of an undergarment having refastenable side attachments in a closed position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of refastenable side attachments according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF DISCLOSURE

Exemplary embodiments of an undergarment having refastenable side attachments will now be described with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an inner portion 101 of an undergarment 100 having refastenable side attachments in an open position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. An undergarment or thong 100 can be a unitary garment having a front panel 120 for covering a crotch portion of a user, a rear panel 110 for providing minimal rear coverage of a user, and an elongated intermediate portion 130 that connects a middle area of the front panel 120 to a middle area of the rear panel 110. The front panel 120 can be generally triangular, and the rear panel 110 can be triangular or of a band-shape or string-shape, providing minimal rear coverage. The undergarment can be any type of underwear such as a thong, G-string or other similar underwear, and can be made of any material known to those skilled in the art, such as cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, nylon, linen, spandex, silk, rayon, acrylic, paper or any type of fabric or combination thereof. Other types of shapes/designs are contemplated by the present disclosure and the present disclosure is not limited to any type of specific undergarment.

The rear panel 110 can have a first end portion 140 and a second end portion 150 opposite the first end portion 140. The front panel 120 can have a first end portion 160 and a second end portion 170 opposite the first end portion 160. Generally, the first end portion 140 of the rear panel 110 corresponds and connects to the first end portion 160 of the front panel 120, and the second end portion 150 of the rear panel 110 corresponds and connects to the second end portion 170 of the front panel 120. Refastenable side attachments 145, 155, 165 and 175 can be provided to provide a closure so as to connect the first end portion 140 to the first end portion 160, and the second end portion 150 to the second end portion 170. The refastenable side attachments are constructed so that refastenable side attachment 145 would correspond and connect to refastenable side attachment 165, and refastenable side attachment 155 would correspond and connect to refastenable side attachment 175.

Various refastenable side attachments can be used. FIG. 2 illustrates a view of refastenable side attachments according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, where refastenable hook and eye closures can be used. For example, first end portion 140 can have one or more eye closures 145 provided along its edge as refastenable side attachments, while first end portion 160 can have one or hooks 165 along its edge that correspond to the eye closures 145 and can be inserted therethrough. Second end portion 150 can have one or more eye closures 145 provided along its edge as refastenable side attachments, while second end portion 170 can have one or hooks 165 along its edge that correspond to the eye closures 145 and can be inserted therethrough. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, three eye closures 145 are provided and three corresponding hooks 165 are provided, although more or less can be provided as required, and the present disclosure is not limited to any number. Further, the eye closures and hooks can be swapped around so that the first end portion 140 can have the hooks as refastenable side attachment 145, and the first end portion 160 can have the eye closures as refastenable side attachment 165.

Various refastenable side attachments are contemplated by the present disclosure and the present disclosure is not limited to any type of side attachment. For example, magnets could be used, where a magnet in refastenable side attachment 145 would correspond/attract to a magnet in refastenable side attachment 165, and a magnet in refastenable side attachment 155 would correspond to a magnet in refastenable side attachment 175. One or more magnets can be used. Other refastenable side attachments can be used such as button(s) (button(s) on one portion and a receiver or hole in the corresponding portion), hooks, Velcro®, glue, stickers, etc. A sliding attachment can also be provided where a mechanism on a first and second end portions on the rear panel would correspond to an orifice on first and second end portions on a front panel to “click” into. This can easily be removed as well so as to be refastenable. Other refastenable side attachments are contemplated by the present disclosure and the present disclosure is not limited to any particular type of refastenable side attachment of the undergarment 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of an outer portion 102 of an undergarment 100 having refastenable side attachments in a closed position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In use, the user simply connects one or more hooks as refastenable side attachment 165 on first end portion 160 to eye closures as refastenable side attachment 145 on first end portion 140, and connects one or more hooks as refastenable side attachment 175 on second end portion 170 to eye closures as refastenable side attachment 155 on second end portion 150. This can connect the rear panel 110 to the front panel 120, and provide a refastenable waist band.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of refastenable side attachments according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, a panel 185 can be provided and connected with an inner portion of the undergarment 100 underneath where the refastenable side attachment 145 is located. The refastenable side attachment 145 can be connected to the refastenable side attachment 165. The panel 185 can provide comfort for the user so they do not feel the refastenable side attachments against their skin. The refastenable side attachment 145 can be eye closures and refastenable side attachment 165 can be hooks, or other refastenable side attachments as described above. A similar panel can be provided on the other side of the undergarment 100 (i.e., for refastenable side attachments 155, 175).

The exemplary design can provide the user with a convenient method of wearing underwear without having to bend over or to remove their underwear. The exemplary design also allows a user to take off old underwear and put on new underwear without taking off other articles of clothing, such as pants or jeans. The underwear 100 can include a lining on the inside of the undergarment. The undergarment 100 can easily be fastened along a waist of a user. While the drawings illustrate thong style underwear, it will be appreciated that the undergarment 100 is readily adaptable to many styles, from full rear coverage to a string rear. The present disclosure is by no means limited to the examples shown in the figures.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous arrangements, manufacture and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An underwear comprising: a front panel having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; a rear panel having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; an elongated intermediate portion connecting a middle area of the front panel to a middle area of the rear panel; a first refastenable attachment mechanism connecting the first end portion of the front panel to the first end portion of the rear panel; and a second refastenable attachment mechanism connecting the second end portion of the front panel to the second end portion of the rear panel.
 2. The underwear of claim 1, wherein the first refastenable attachment mechanism comprises one or more eye closures on the first end portion of the rear panel and one or more hooks on the first end portion of the front panel corresponding to the one or more eye closures on the first end portion of the rear panel.
 3. The underwear of claim 2, wherein at least three eye closures are provided on the first end portion of the rear panel and at least three hooks are provided on the first end portion of the front panel corresponding to the at least three eye closures on the first end portion of the rear panel.
 4. The underwear of claim 2, wherein the second refastenable attachment mechanism comprises one or more eye closures on the second end portion of the rear panel and one or more hooks on the second end portion of the front panel corresponding to the one or more eye closures on the second end portion of the rear panel.
 5. The underwear of claim 4, wherein at least three eye closures are provided on the second end portion of the rear panel and at least three hooks are provided on the second end portion of the front panel corresponding to the at least three eye closures on the second end portion of the rear panel.
 6. The underwear of claim 4, wherein the first refastenable attachment mechanism and the second refastenable attachment comprises magnets, wherein corresponding magnets that attract are provided on the first end portion of the rear panel and the first end portion of the front panel, and corresponding magnets that attract are provided on the second end portion of the rear panel and the second end portion of the front panel.
 7. The underwear of claim 4, wherein the first refastenable attachment mechanism and the second refastenable attachment comprises one or more of buttons, stickers, hooks and Velcro, wherein connecting buttons, stickers, hooks and Velcro are provided on the first end portion of the rear panel connecting to the first end portion of the front panel, and connecting buttons, stickers, hooks and Velcro are provided on the second end portion of the rear panel connecting to the second end portion of the front panel.
 8. The underwear of claim 4, wherein the first refastenable attachment mechanism comprises a first sliding attachment connecting the first end portion of the rear panel to the first end portion of the front panel, and the second refastenable attachment mechanism comprises a second sliding attachment connecting the second end portion of the rear panel to the second end portion of the front panel.
 9. The underwear of claim 1, further comprising: a first panel provided along an inner portion of the underwear to protect the skin of a user from the first refastenable attachment mechanism.
 10. The underwear of claim 9, further comprising: a second panel provided along an inner portion of the underwear to protect the skin of a user from the second refastenable attachment mechanism.
 11. The underwear of claim 1, wherein the front panel, rear panel and elongated intermediate portion is constructed of a material comprising one or more of cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, nylon, linen, spandex, silk, rayon, acrylic and paper.
 12. A thong underwear comprising: a front panel having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion of the front panel; a rear panel having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion of the rear panel; an elongated intermediate portion connecting the middle portion of the front panel to the middle portion of the rear panel; a first refastenable attachment mechanism comprising three eye closures on an outer periphery of the first end portion of the rear panel that connect with three hooks on an outer periphery of the first end portion of the front panel; a second refastenable attachment mechanism comprising three eye closures on an outer periphery of the second end portion of the rear panel that connect with three hooks on an outer periphery of the second end portion of the front panel; a first panel provided on the outer periphery of the first end portion of the rear panel and configured to be provided between a user's skin and the three eye closures of the first end portion of the rear panel; and a second panel provided on the outer periphery of the second end portion of the rear panel and configured to be provided between a user's skin and the three eye closures of the second end portion of the rear panel.
 13. The thong underwear of claim 12, wherein the front panel, rear panel and elongated intermediate portion is constructed of a material comprising one or more of cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, nylon, linen, spandex, silk, rayon, acrylic and paper. 